We love TV — it’s in our bones. So we especially love when Hollywood and the TV industry take time to celebrate the best of the best of the best at the yearly Academy Awards (this year hosted by Stephen Colbert), and when the voters of those awards get so, so many categories right.

Any couch-surfer could have told you the night would belong to big shows like Big Little Liesand The Handmaid’s Tale following their epic seasons, and they were right, but all-around it was a pretty big event for women and people of colour. For the first time we can ever remember in Emmys history, presenters doled out more awards to people from those categories than white dudes… and then recognized that fact.

This morning, we’re here to celebrate some of the amazing women who were honoured at the festivities for the impact they’ve made on the medium. So in no particular order, here are our 15 picks of women who totally won last night’s show… and subsequently the (TV) world.

The 20 women who ruled last night’s Emmys (and maybe even the world)

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

+

of

The Cast of 'Big Little Lies'

As far as we're concerned, the five leading ladies from the HBO series coming out together to present the first award wasn't just a great unifier; it also set the tone for the whole night. #GirlPower, y'all.Trae Patton/CBS

Lena Waithe

Not only did this 'Master of None' writer and star become the first black woman to win for comedy writing, but she gave a hell of a speech. Aziz Ansari, who co-wrote the episode, didn't need to say a darned thing. Trae Patton/CBS

Laura Dern

Um, we love us this lady, so it's shocking that this was her first Emmy win. And of course she shared it with all of her co-stars while dropping director Jean-Marc Vallee's name... twice. Something tells us she'll be working with the Montreal-born director again.
Trae Patton/CBS

Jackie Hoffman

This lady's take on the Mamacita character was one of the best parts of Feud... even better though? Her "Dammit!" reaction to Laura Dern beating her out for best supporting actress in a miniseries. She was clearly joking, but doing something like that takes balls as far as we're concerned. Love you, Jackie.Getty

Anna Chlumsky

Speaking of facial reactions, this Veep star wins hands-down for her visceral reactions throughout the night. Of course, her reaction to Sean Spicer coming out on stage was THE best of them all. Internet GIF Gods should thank Anna this morning.CTV

Melissa McCarthy

Oh and while we're on the subject of Sean Spicer, we clearly have to thank Melissa McCarthy. Because without her bang-on Spicey impressions on SNL, he probably wouldn't have even been asked to the party. Trae Patton/CBS

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Yep, it's no surprise that this Veep star made history for her sixth consecutive win. Given how much we still love Selina Meyer it's still entirely deserved, too.Trae Patton/CBS

Kate McKinnon

We will never, ever forget Kate singing Leonard Cohen on SNL the week following Hillary Clinton's loss. Given how relevant this actress has been the past year, she totally deserved to take home the best comedic actress award. Thanking Hillary during her speech was just part of her ever-lasting class.Mark Davis/CBS

Ru Paul

So Ru Paul playing a live version of the Emmys statue gave us life... what about you?CTV

The Ladies of '9 to 5'

Not only were Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda epic together in this mini reunion, but they took the chance to remind us all that an "egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" should never be allowed to tell us what to do.Trae Patton/CBS

Carol Burnett

It's been 50 years since this lady's show debuted, and it was entirely appropriate that she graced the stage alongside Norman Lear to dole out a comedy award. After all, so many of these women owe their careers to Burnett and her epic influence.Trae Patton/CBS

Reed Morano

Many viewers don't necessarily know her name, but this female director was largely responsible for the overall look of The Handmaid's Tale as a producer and director of the first three episodes. Her influence is ALL over that show.Trae Patton/CBS

Ann Dowd

Obviously Dowd didn't think she'd actually win, so her tears were all of our tears because they were so damned genuine. We may be scared AF of Aunt Lydia, but Dowd gets all our love for playing her so freaking well on The Handmaid's Tale.Trae Patton/CBS

Elisabeth Moss

Speaking of The Handmaid's Tale, we also love that even though Moss was totally projected to win, she was still surprised and swore twice on stage. Later on backstage she said, of course she was shocked. "Otherwise you're an asshole," she told press.Mark Davis/CBS

The Women From 'Mom'

Allison Janney and Anna Faris always prove that two females can be just as funny as two men. Not only does Mom continue to thrive on the small screen, but these two presenting an award together was one of the cutest and funniest bits of the night. Trae Patton/CBS

Rachel Bloom

How do you make the traditional Accountant Bow at the Emmys entertaining? You solicit My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend star and creator Rachel Bloom to sing about it, of course. Trae Patton/CBS

Cicely Tyson

Of all the women in that room last night, Tyson probably had the least to be nervous about -- she is a legend, after all. Yet our hearts couldn't help but melt at her sheer nervousness at being up on that stage. Thankfully she had Anika Noni Rose to lean on. Trae Patton/CBS

Nicole Kidman

A huge Hollywood star by every measure, Kidman took her Big Little Lies win as an opportunity to give a heartfelt speech about motherhood and the importance of shining a light on domestic abuse. No one in their right mind would have played her off that stage. (Sorry Sterling K. Brown... we were upset that we didn't get to hear your whole speech too.)Trae Patton/CBS

Oprah Winfrey

Another female legend, Oprah was tasked with giving out the night's biggest award: drama of the year (to The Handmaid's Tale, naturally). But her presence was felt all night long, with some winners even thanking her just because she was there and it felt appropriate. As one does when they're in Oprah's presence, we suppose.Trae Patton/CBS

Margaret Atwood

Atwood's appearance was a surprise, and garnered a HUGE crowd reaction, obviously. Without her epic, 1985 story, The Handmaid's Tale wouldn't even exist. And since the show was one of the night's big winners, that made Atwood one of the most important personalities on site. Of course we know her best as our own Canadian gem. Getty